Beijing Arts Festival presents Italian jazz concert

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Europe

03:14

Italy, the guest country of honor of this year's Meet in Beijing Festival, has brought its music, fine art, drama, film and cuisine to China in the past month. And right before the festival is concluded, some of Italy's most prestigious jazz musicians treated Beijing music enthusiasts with a late night performance.

Both of the two bands on the playlist, Fabrizio Bosso's Quartet "State of the Art" and Karima "Close to You" Quartet, are very familiar to China's jazz scene.

Fabrizio Bosso and his quartet /Provided Photo

Fabrizio Bosso and his quartet have performed in many important music festivals across Europe, including Umbria Jazz. Founded in 1973 in Perugia, Umbria Jazz has seen almost all the most coveted jazz musicians on the planet, including B.B. King, Tony Bennett and James Brown.

"It is my second visit to China. Last time, I played at JZ Festival in Shanghai and some local jazz clubs. That was a fantastic experience. I'm happy to be back to China, and it is my first time in Beijing. And I'm also very honored to represent Umbria, which is a very important institution," trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso says.

Karima /Provided Photo

Karima names her quartet "Close to You," a popular hit by American composer, pianist and singer Burt Bacharach. She also brings other songs from the multiple Grammy and Oscar winners, like "Alfie" and "Say a Little Prayer."

In 2014, Karima released an album of the quartet's namesake, in which she sings 13 Bacharach's compositions. And that is the most acclaimed recording in her career.

"I met Burt Bacharach in Rome, and soon we decided to work together. And that album is very important to me. I will also perform a jam session with the other musicians at the NCPA cafe after the hall concert. That's the real appeal of music. People of different origins, nationalities and religions are gathered together to relax and enjoy," lead vocals Karima says.

Saxophonist Rosario Giuliani /Provided Photo

Saxophonist Rosario Giuliani is the featuring artist of the concert. On his third time performing in China, he is very impressed by the Chinese audience members.

“Chinese people are very funny and happy people. The only reason why we make music is to make people happy and go home with good memories. For us it is the great way to make it,” Rosario Giuliani says.

Midnight Rose Jazz Concert also marks the end of the month-long NCPA May Festival.